Feeding sheet metal



April 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN FEEDING SHEET METAL sheet Ofe- Filed July 5. 1967 N @Nrw e mi | I lh mvsmon ALBERT r. LEHMANN y@ ,g diaz; www gba@ ATTORNEY April 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN 3,438,557

FEEDING SHEET METAL Filed July s, 1967 sheet 2 of 6 www 29 /25 INVENTOR ALBERT F. LEHMANN ATTORNEY Aprll 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN FEEDING SHEET METAL Sheet Filed July 3, 1967 TIG. 4

EPIGS INVENTOR ALBERT F.LEHMANN Mv@ @anti ATTORNEY April 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN 3,438,557

FEEDING SHEET METAL Filed July 5, 1967 Sheet g of 6 INVENTOR ALBERT F. LEHMANN Ze f M MKM/l K ATTORNEY April 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN FEEDING SHEET METAL sheet 5 of@ Filed July 3, 1967 A n @Nam INVENTOR ALBERT F. LEHMANN avm ATTORNEY April 15, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN 3,438,557

FEEDING SHEET METAL.

Filed July 5. 1967 sheet G of@ INVENTOR ALBERT F. LEHMANN United States Patent O 3,438,557 FEEDING SHEET METAL Albert F. Lehmann, Dearborn, Mich. (7800 Dix Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48209) Filed July 3, 1967, ser. No. 650,730 Int. Cl. B65h 17/36 U.S. Cl. 226-8 24 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Basically, the method and apparatus described herein comprises gripping the strip metal and moving it in the direction in which it is desired to feed the metal while permitting lateral or floating action to accommodate for camber. In one form of apparatus described, the gripper assembly is mounted on a Slide for transverse movement, the slide being, in turn, mounted for movement longitudinally. Where the strip has substantial width, the gripper assembly comprises a pair of gripper assemblies which grip the sheet metal adjacent the edges. Where the metal strip is narrower, the gripper assembly comprises a single gripper device for gripping the sheet metal at the center. In another form of the apparatus, the gripper assembly is mounted for reciprocating movement on a frame and the frame is, in turn, pivoted about a vertical axis so that the entire frame can swing laterally.

This invention relates to feeding -flat metal and particularly to feeding at metal from a coil supply to a press.

Background of the invention In the feeding of at metal which comprises a strip rolled into a coil, one of the problems which becomes more significant as the thickness of the strip metal increases is that although the strip may be of the same width throughout, the sides are not always parallel to the same longitudanal axis. This condition is known in the art as camber.

When the strip is being fed to a press, it is conventional to provide guides which engage the edges of the metal strip and guide the strip into position for operation of the press. If there is cam'ber in the metal, when it is being fed, there is a tendency for the strip to be forced against one or the other of the guides, thus tending to bind and either compress the sheet metal or distort it. Heretofore, if binding occurred, it was necessary to interrupt the feeding and to cut out and forcibly remove the portion of the strip with excess camber from between the guides.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a method and apparatus for `feeding a strip of metal which will accommodate to the camber of the metal without causing any binding or similar difficulties.

Summary Basically, the method and apparatus described herein comprises gripping the strip metal and moving it in the direction in which it is desired to feed the sheet metal while permitting lateral or floating action to accommodate for camber. In one -form of apparatus described, the gripper assembly is mounted on a slide for transverse movement, the slide being, in turn, mounted for movement longitudinally. Where the strip has substantial width, the gripper assembly comprises a pair of gripper assemblies which grip the strip adjacent the edges. Where the metal strip is narrower, the gripper assembly comprises a single gripper assembly for gripping the metal at the center. In another form of the apparatus, the gripper assembly is mounted for reciprocating movement on a frame 3,438,557 Patented Apr. 15, 1969 lCC and the frame is, in turn, pivoted about a vertical axis so that the entire frame can swing laterally.

Description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3 3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary View taken along the line 15A- 3A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further modified form of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary part sectional side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a part sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 8.

Description Referring to FIGS. l-3, the apparatus comprises a base 10 having a stock catenary and side strip guide assembly 11 which includes a plurality of freely rotating rollers 12 at one end over which the sheet metal strip S from a coil (not shown) supported on a coil support (not shown) passes. The apparatus further includes a single direction clutch type anti-backup roll device comprising a pair of straightening rollers 13 which incorporate one Way clutches and through which the strip S passes and powered feed rollers 14 that are driven by a motor 1S through a gear box 16 and chain drive 17.

In the central portion of the base 10, gripper assemblies 20 are adapted to grip the metal stock S adjacent the edges and move it longitudinally of the base 10 in the direction of the arrow. As presently described, the gripper assemblies 20l are mounted for transverse as Well as longitudinal movement so that if there is any camber in the metal stock, the grippers will move laterally without binding or deforming the metal stock. Finally, the metal stock moves through guide rollers 21 and passes to the press or other machine to which the metal is being fed.

Since the grippers can iloat laterally, any cam'ber in the metal will not cause a binding on the guide rolls 21 but, on the contrary, engagement of the edges of the sheet metal with the guide rolls merely causes the metal to move laterally without binding. Thus the metal is fed to the press in properly aligned relationship even though there is camber.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gripper assemblies 20 are mounted on a crosshead 22. Specifically, the crosshead 22 includes a guideway 23 at each end and the lower end of each gripper assembly 20 is formed with a complementary guideway 24. Each gripping assembly 20 includes a fixed lower gripping member 25 and a vertically movable upper gripping member 26, the latter being connected to the lower end of the piston 27 of a linear fluid motor 28 so that when the piston is moved downwardly, the metal S is gripped adjacent its edge between gripping members 25, 26.

Each gripper assembly 20 along each side of the strip S is maintained in a generally centralized position relative to its crosshead 22 by springs'29, 30 that engage an upwardly extending projection 31 on the slide 22. In this fashion, the springs 29, 30 tend to return the gripper assembly to a neutral position. Other yieldable devices may be used in place of springs 29, such as fluid and pneumatic spring7 devices.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crosshead 22 is supported on two longitudinally extending shafts 32 and is reciprocated longitudinally of the base 10 by a linear fluid motor 33 that has its piston rod 34 connected to the crosshead 22. Fluid is supplied to the fluid motor from a pump 35 driven by a motor 36 through appropriate controls (not shown).

In use, when the gripper assemblies 20 are in the position shown in FIG. 1, fluid motors 28 are actuated to grip the metal and fluid is supplied to uid motor 33 to move the crosshead 22 and, in turn, the gripper assemblies and the strip in the diretcion of the arrow. If there is any camber in the strip, the relatively free floating action of the gripper assemblies 20 permits them to move laterally to the right or left as viewed from the top of the machine without causing any binding or twisting or similar damage to the metal stock. At the end of the stroke of the fluid motors 33 and 28 are actuated to release the grip on the strip and fluid is supplied to the opposite end of the fluid motor 33 to return the gripper assemblies 2G to their original position for gripping another portion of the metal stock.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4-6, for use where the sheet metal stock is narrow in width, a single gripper assembly is provided. As shown in these figures, the gripper assembly 40 is mounted in a guideway 41 of a crosshead 42 and is centered transversely by springs 43 or similar spring devices. The gripper assembly 40 includes a lower iixed gripping member 44 and upper movable gripping member 45 that is mounted on piston rod 46 of a cylinder 47. The slide 42 is supported on a pair of shafts 48 and is reciprocated by a tiuid motor 49 that has its shaft 50 connected to the slide. The gripper assembly 4G operates in the same fashion as in the previous form of the invention to move the metal stock longitudinally while permitting a lateral movement to accommodate for camber.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 7-10, the gripper assembly 50 is mounted for longitudinal movement on a pair of shafts 51 which, in turn, are supported on a frame 52 that is pivoted for swinging movement about a vertical axis 53 on the base 54. Specifically, the frame 52 is supported for swinging movement on a post 55 on the base 54. As in the previous form of the invention, the gripper assembly S0 includes a lower xed and an upper vertically movable gripper 56, 57, the latter being operated by a fluid motor (not shown).

The leading end of the frame 52 extends forwardly and has rollers S8 thereon that are mounted for rotation about horizontal longitudinal axes and engage vertically spaced horizontal surfaces 59, on the base of the machine to guide the swinging movement of the forward end of the frame as may occur during feeding of the metal if there is any camber in the metal.

Springs 61 or other spring devices extend between adjustable brackets 62 on the base and a centered downwardly extending projection 63 on the frame 52 to yieldingly urge the frame toward a transversely centered position on the base.

As in the previous forms of the invention, the gripper assembly S0 is caused to engage the metal stock. Fluid motor 64, which is connected to the gripper assembly 50, is then actuated to move the gripper assembly forwardly along the frame 52. If there is any camber in the metal, the frame including the gripper assembly will swing transversely to the right or left to accommodate the camber.

In each of the forms of the invention, the grippers are floating laterally so that the metal will be guided by the guide rolls directly into the press without binding.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for feeding strip metal from a supply coil, the combination comprising a gripper assembly for gripping a portion of the metal,

means for mounting said gripper assembly for longitudinal and relatively free transverse movement in the general plane of the metal relative to the direction in which the metal is to be fed,

and means for reciprocating said gripper assembly longitudinally whereby when the gripper assembly is moved in one direction and is gripping the metal, the metal is fed, and when the gripper assembly is released from its gripping action, it may be returned to its original position.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including means yieldingly urging said gripper assembly toward a neutral position transversely.

3. The combination set forth in claim l wherein said means for reciprocating said gripping means comprises a fluid motor.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said gripper assembly comprises a base having a slideway extending longitudinally,

.a crosshead reciprocable along said slideway,

and means for supporting said gripper assembly for transverse movement on said crosshead.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said slideway comprises a pair of shafts extending longitudinally of said base.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 including spring means yieldingly urging said gripper assembly toward a neutral transverse position.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper assembly comprises two pairs of grippers adapted to engage each edge of the strip.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper assembly comprises a pair of grippers located substantially centrally of said strip.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said gripper assembly includes fluid motor means.

10. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said gripper assembly comprises a frame,

means for pivoting said frame about a vertical axis with the frame extending in the direction of movement of the sheet metal,

said gripper assembly being mounted on said frame,

said means for moving said gripper assembly longitudinally being connected to said frame for moving said gripper assembly longitudinally of said frame.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 including means for yieldingly transversely centering said frame relative to the direction of movement of said strip.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for reciprocating said frame comprises a linear fluid motor.

13. The combination set forth in claim 10 including means for guiding the transverse movement of said frame.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for guiding the transverse movement of said frame comprises rollers on the forward free end of said frame and guide surfaces engaged by said rollers.

15. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for mounting said gripper assembly for longitudinal movement on said frame comprises a pair of shafts extending longitudinally of said frame,

said gripper assembly having surfaces engaging said shafts.

16. In an apparatus `for feeding strip metal from a supply coil, the combination comprising a base,

a gripper assembly for gripping a portion of the strip metal,

means on said base for mounting said gripper assembly for longitudinal and relatively free transverse movement in the general plane of the metal relative to the direction in which the metal is to be fed,

means on said base for reciprocating said gripper assembly longitudinally whereby when the gripper assembly is moved in one direction and is gripping the metal, the strip metal is fed, and when the gripper assembly is released from its gripping action, it may be returned to its original position,

and means in advance and beyond the gripping means for guiding the metal.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for mounting said gripper assembly comprises a slideway on said base extending longitudinally,

a crosshead reciprocable along said slideway,

and means for supporting said gripper assembly for transverse movement on said crosshead.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said slideway comprises a pair of shafts extending longitudinally of said base.

19. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said gripper assembly comprises a pair of grippers .adapted to engage said strip adjacent the edges.

20. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for mounting said gripper assembly comprises a frame,

means for pivoting said frame on said `base about a vertical axis with the frame extending in the direction of movement of the metal,

said gripper assembly being mounted on said frame,

said means for moving said gripper assembly longitudinally being connected to said frame for moving said frame and said gripper assembly longitudinally.

21. The combination set eforth in claim 20 including means for yieldingly transversely centering said frame relative to the direction of movement of said metal.

22. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein said means for reciprocating said frame comprises a linear iluid motor. p

23. The combination set forth in claim 20 including means for guiding the transverse movement of said frame comprising rollers on the free end of said frame and guide surfaces on said base.

Z4. The method of feeding strip metal stock from a supply coil which comprises engaging a portion of the metal stock with gripping means,

moving said gripping means longitudinally in the desired direction of movement to move the stock,

and permitting said gripping means to move relatively freely transversely in the general plane of the metal stock during said longitudinal movement to accommodate for camber of the metal stock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1964 Heath 226-141 7/1965 Ruminsky 226-162 X U.S Cl. X.R. 226--l62, 167 

